U.S. Senator Merkley was threatened with arrest when he tried to inspect conditions at a Brownsville, TX privately-run child-detention center, which raises serious questions about what they are trying to conceal from Congress and the public. HR 5820/ S.2849 the Detention Oversight, Not Expansion Act (DONE Act) that halts expansion of detention facilities in favor less costly and more humane community-based alternatives and requires unannounced independent inspections and audits to ensure compliance with federal laws.

(Introduced by Senator Harris, there are currently no co-signers, so we need to get busy.)

#2 – ‘YES’ on S. 2468: – Fair Day in Court for Kids Act of 2018.

“Every day the U.S. government brings children into immigration court where they are forced to defend themselves without counsel. (See fact sheet here) As a result, thousands of children, some as young as 3 and 4 years old, are ordered deported without legal representation.” Senator Mazie Hirono (D-HI) has introduced S. 2468: Fair Day in Court for Kids Act of 2018. It currently has 14 co-sponsors.

Check here to see if your senators have signed on. Thank them if they have (YES, CA gets to thank both Feinstein and Harris!), but if not, ask them to do so. It shouldn’t even be an issue.

Minimal script: I’m calling from [zip code] and I want Sen. [___] to cosponsor S. 2468: Fair Day in Court for Kids Act of 2018.

This bill’s intent is to limit authorities’ ability to separate families punitively. Agencies would be prohibited from removing a child from his or her parent or legal guardian, at or near the port of entry or within 100 miles of the border of the United States, unless a state court or county child welfare agency has determined that the child is unsafe while remaining with their parent or legal guardian.

HR 5414amends the Social Security Act to ensure that immigration status does not disqualify a parent, legal guardian, or relative from being a placement for a foster child, to authorize discretion to a State, county, or other political subdivision of a State to delay filing for termination of parental rights in foster care cases in which an otherwise fit and willing parent or legal guardian has been deported or is involved in (including detention pursuant to) an immigration proceeding, unless certain conditions have been met, and for other purposes.

Check here if your congressperson is already cosponsoring HR 5414. (Brownley and Carbajal are NOT on this yet. Make the ask!)

Minimal script for representatives: I’m calling from [zip code] and I want Rep. [___] to support both HR 5414 – “Help Separated Families Act of 2018”.